"Mild Confusion"

True Panther

Artists:

At first listen, it might sound like Tamaryn bestow upon their effects pedals the same forlorn and seemingly disinterested gaze that your favorite Creation Records alum did in their downcast prime. But if "Mild Confusion" is any indication, what will separate this group's brand of shady haze from the rest of the pack is its irresistible rhythmic heft. So while the gauzy wall of guitar strum that opens the tune seems like par for this particular course, the monolithic bass-and-drum backbone that emerges from the ether sounds like the sort of sinister yet propulsive beat Swans would've laid down if they were ever put through the wringer by Martin Hannett. As the A-side of a December single in advance of their 2010 full-length, it definitely whets one's appetite. It's only a shame that Tamaryn the Vocalist couldn't rise to the occasion the way the rest of her band did-- her usually alluring croon (in fine form on the other tracks available at the band's MySpace page) has some trouble trying to plumb the sepulchral depths of this tune's melody, and adds on an unbecoming sneer to boot. Ironically, it's when Tamaryn steps away from the microphone and lets the music sing that "Mild Confusion" achieves its truest clarity.